How do I get a desktop notification from a web app?

Question

I need to create a web app for a client, and one of the requirements is whenever an event is triggered there should be some desktop notification in Windows XP/7 that tells them of the event. Similar to the balloon that pops-up when a new file is added to a folder in Dropbox.

I am using Rails for the web app, but have never done any desktop development. What should I be looking at?

Swanherd

Answer 1

Would this: Growl Notifications from a Web Server

plus Growl for windows meet your needs? http://www.growlforwindows.com/gfw/developers.aspx

Skipp

This looks like the solution I need. Thanks! – Swanherd

Any chance to create Desktop Notifications on other OSs(like Linux, Mac etc..)From ASP.NET Web Applications.? – Siena

Answer 2

It may be worth looking at Noti.

This tool allows web apps to push notifications to a small app running on OS X, Windows and Linux.

Claviform

Answer 3

Would RSS-enabling the application, coupled with a RSS widget on the desktop, suffice? This has a few drawbacks - for example, it requires setup on the workstations and is not immediate. But it is non-proprietary.

If this is a Windows environment, perhaps the application could use the Windows command msg.exe to pop up an alert box (assuming Windows messenger service is enabled on the workstations).

Mcabee

That may be possible, but that seems a little cludgy, no? You mean like have the user install say Google RSS Reader, and then just import an RSS feed from the web app? If that's the case, when a new notification comes, will the RSS reader interrupt the user (if they are inside another program for instance) or will it just increment in the background? I need them to be interrupted immediately, without it being an annoying interruption. – Swanherd

Yes, and it won't be immediate, but it's non-proprietary. If this is a Windows environment, maybe your application could use "net send"? – Mcabee

Can you give me more details on 'net send'? Like a link to some docs or something? – Swanherd

net send (link) is a Microsoft Windows command. It will pop up an alert box on the user's window. – Mcabee

Actually, google msg.exe. It seems to have replaced the net send functionality (and has several useful options). – Mcabee

Answer 4

You can use Telegram (desktop portable version included) with TeleNotify gem. Downside is, your app must have HTTPS. But with CloudFlare you can get your app working with SSL for free, even without changing your source code.

Coster